Pirl Beach

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The cottages at Pirl Beach were, according to a 1913 newspaper article, built by L.E. Woodworth of Ashtabula. He arrived in the community October 1913 and planned to live in one of the cottages with his wife and son while he built the other three. Based on the above photo postcard, at least five cottages stood at Pirl Beach.

 

Our visitors say:

Our family (from Canton)and our cousins from Warren started vacationing at Pirl Beach (bewtween GOTL & Madison OTL from 1958-71). What great memories, Ma & Pa Bush’s Corn Stand, Madsens Donuts, Pop Perra’s Kiddie Land, the go-karts. We would stay for 2 weeks swimming all day then burgers & dogs on the grill. Then we’d have nightly softball & touch football games in “The Bowl” a park on the grounds with all the other kids from the other cottages refereed by my dad “Uncle Eddie” to all the kids. Only 1 night, the last Thursday did we hit the strip. Oh what memories!

Biff McNamara

I spent the summer of 1942 in Pirl Beach (at age 16) and worked part time for the manager pulling weeds and such. Also swam every day. My Pittsburgh relatives had a reserved cottage there for many years. My aunt and cousins stayed. My uncle commuted weekly in his Buick. The Pirl Beach manager used a Model T Ford truck for his chores.

Ken Ford

 


Our guests remember:

Pirl Beach

I spent the summer of 1942 in Pirl Beach (at age 16) and worked part time for the manager pulling weeds and such. Also swam every day. My Pittsburgh relatives had reserved a cottage there for many years. My aunt and cousins stayed. My uncle commuted weekly in his Buick. The Pirl Beach manager used a Model T Ford truck for his chores.

Ken Ford

Memories of Ford's

Most of my summer childhood memories are at Ford’s! My parents met there right at the picnic table. We vacationed there every summer along with my grandparents and great aunt and uncle until they passed away. We made amazing friends there that we still vacation with on Putnam Drive!! I could never thank the Payne’s enough for my childhood memories. Playing Indians in the huge back yard, solving make-believe mysteries, playing release and listening to everyone playing penny poker when my sister and I should have been sleeping. I now bring my son to Geneva every summer. He is the 5th generation at Geneva!

Sara Turner Campos

Chestnut Grove

My extended family and I vacationed at Chestnut Grove from 1948-1964. Being from McKeesport, it was a dream come true to go there every summer. I currently live in Michigan but go back occasionally. Not too long ago, I found a post card of some of the cottages where the swings and horseshoe pit were and a local artist is making me a 24×36 painting of it. I can't wait to see it! So many wonderful memories and so few things left as reminders. It is nice to know that others still remember and care.

Michelle Turner ( a Chestnut Grove Kid)

Idle-A-While

We vacationed every summer at Idle-A-While in the late '50s and early '60s, partially because my aunt was the receptionist there. I often got to ring the bell summoning guests to breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room, which was staffed by co-eds from various universities. Evenings were spent playing bingo, fascination and other games on the strip or bridge and poker back at Idle-A-While. Great memories.
John Bloom

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